Publication details

Expansion of rDNA and pericentromere satellite repeats in the genomes of bank voles Myodes glareolus exposed to environmental radionuclides

Authors

JERNFORS Toni DANFORTH John KESANIEMI Jenni LAVRINIENKO Antom TUKALENKO Eugene FAJKUS Jiří DVOŘÁČKOVÁ Martina MAPPES Täppio WATTS Phillip C.

Year of publication 2021
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Ecology and Evolution
MU Faculty or unit

Central European Institute of Technology

Citation
Web https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.7684
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7684
Keywords anthropogenic disturbance; chernobyl; copy number; ionizing radiation; myodes glareolus; rDNA
Description Altered copy number of certain highly repetitive regions of the genome, such as satellite DNA within heterochromatin and ribosomal RNA loci (rDNA), is hypothesized to help safeguard the genome against damage derived from external stressors. We quantified copy number of the 18S rDNA and a pericentromeric satellite DNA (Msat-160) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) inhabiting the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), an area that is contaminated by radionuclides and where organisms are exposed to elevated levels of ionizing radiation. We found a significant increase in 18S rDNA and Msat-160 content in the genomes of bank voles from contaminated locations within the CEZ compared with animals from uncontaminated locations. Moreover, 18S rDNA and Msat-160 copy number were positively correlated in the genomes of bank voles from uncontaminated, but not in the genomes of animals inhabiting contaminated, areas. These results show the capacity for local-scale geographic variation in genome architecture and are consistent with the genomic safeguard hypothesis. Disruption of cellular processes related to genomic stability appears to be a hallmark effect in bank voles inhabiting areas contaminated by radionuclides.

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